Mogadore cop indicted on felonious assault charge for New Years Eve incident

Friday

Jan 18, 2013 at 4:00 AM

By Dave O'Brien | Staff Writer

A Portage County grand jury has indicted a Mogadore police officer on charges that he pulled a handgun on a fellow officer while intoxicated at a New Years Eve party.

Mark E. Halliwill, 43, of Mogadore, was indicted Jan. 10 on one count each of felonious assault, a second-degree felony, and having weapons while intoxicated, a first-degree misdemeanor. A firearms specification to the assault charge could add up to three additional years onto the two to eight years Halliwill faces in prison if convicted.

Halliwill is free after posting $4,000 bond. A trial in Portage County Common Pleas Judge Laurie Pittman's courtroom is scheduled for May 21, according to court records.

Halliwill was arrested Jan. 1 by the Portage County Sheriff's Office. According to Mogadore police, Halliwill and fellow officer John M. Josef were off-duty and socializing at Halliwill's Virgil Street residence when an "altercation" allegedly took place. Halliwill then allegedly pulled a semiautomatic handgun and pointed it at Josef. No shots were fired and no one was injured. Alcohol is believe to have been a factor as well, according to Mogadore police.

Halliwill was immediately placed on administrative leave from his job following the incident. The Portage County Sheriff's Office investigated the criminal side of the case to prevent any appearance of favoritism or impropriety, according to Mogadore police, who are conducting their own internal investigation.